SWEDE GROWING.

Wairarapa Age, 12 August 1930, Page 5

SWEDE GROWING.

SUTTON CUP COMPETITION. WON BY M. J. WILTON. CROP OF OVER 60 TONS TO THE ACRE. In spite of adverse weather conditions, twenty entries were received. for the Sutton Cup Swede Growing Competition, but finally many of the crop owners preferred not to have the crops judged because the results were mainly unworthy of a competition. Nevertheless, this .year’s winner, M. J. Wilton, Mt. Bruce, with a crop of 60 tons 12cwt. to the acre, has only been bettered, in 1926, out of six annual competitions, with a yield of 74 tons lewt., grown by the Rameslie Estate. One of the features of all these competitions is the difficulty in securing entries until after the crop is successfully established, otherwise the entries would be much more numerous. Following are the awards made by Mr. 8. Freeman, Fields Instructor, Masterton:—M. J. Wilton (Mt. Bruce), 60 tons 12 cwt. per acre; total points, 82 (weight 60j, cultivation 12), quality 9), first. Rameslie Estate (Mt. Bruce) 54 tons 12cwt. per acre; total points, 75 (weight 54), cultivation 12, quality' 8)), second. H. B. Maunsell (Opaki) 46 tons 7ewt. per acre; total points, 081 (Weight 46, cultivation 14), quality 8). Commenting on the competition, Mr. Freeman reports that the yield of the winning crop, 60 tons per acre, is exceptionally heavy considering the unfavourable season. A feature of this crop is the large number of roots, which although small, are close together, thus making up the weight. This particular crop is comparatively free from dry rot, as were most of the others in the competition, the swedes right through being of good quality. The winner used Johnston’s Superlative seed and G. H. Perry and Co.’s special manure. The Rameslie Estate used Johnston’s Superlative seed and H. Perry and Co.’s special mixture; while H. B. Maunsell's No. 1 entry, which was third, used Cooper’s Superlative seed and the W.F.C.A. special manure mixture.